OFFICIALS from the University of Birmingham are facing a tall order to gain a stock of extra-long beds for towering athletes from Jamaica’s superstar Olympic squad.

OFFICIALS from the University of Birmingham are facing a tall order to gain a stock of extra-long beds for towering athletes from Jamaica’s superstar Olympic squad.

Athletes from the Jamaican squad will complete their pre-Olympic training at the university two weeks before the London games opens in July 2012 and officials are desperate for the track stars to get a good night’s sleep.

The super-sized sleeping arrangements are being brought in to cater for runners like world record holder Usain Bolt and his fellow sprinters who are all well over 6ft tall.

But with some members of the 70-strong squad – such as 6ft 5 ins Bolt – dwarfing athletes from most other countries, the university has had to source the bumper beds to accommodate their tall guests.

Athletes will share twin rooms in a specially-adapted conference centre and use the university running track and weights room during their time on campus.

Zena Woolridge, director of sport at the University of Birmingham, said that they are working closely with the Jamaican squad to ensure every need is catered for.

She said: “We don’t want them falling out or hitting their feet while they are hanging out the end of the bed. We want to provide the best facilities across every level.”

The university is also hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2008 Beijing Games where the Jamaicans dined in burger joints because they were unable to scoff their favourite foods.

She said: “It’s critical that athletes get the right fuel. We have a great catering team that will be able to provide the precise type and quality of food they need, and they will want Jamaican food.

“Having 60,000 Jamaican people in Birmingham, I think we know a thing or two about producing Jamaican food,” she added.

The university officially secured the deal last February to house the Jamaicans, with final details about the camp expected to be finalised next month.

The USA track and field team will also use the facilities ahead of London 2012, with both deals believed to be worth around £15 million combined.

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